I Follow Him

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

I’m still discovering how the answer shows up in daily life…life has a way of giving us cues, doesn’t it?  We believe we’re on the right track – our heart is right with God – we are living in obedience.  And then something hiccups in our mind or our heart…and we know that our “following” has joined hands with “but I still need to take care of some things.”

We know that following Jesus is more than reading the Bible and praying, going to church, or even accepting him as our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord.

Following Jesus means that we give up ourselves.  We abandon our plans, our dreams, our needs…and follow Him.  It isn’t easy.  It means we give up control.  It means we accept that what happens to us is filtered through His love.

This morning in church Pastor Chris said, “It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross.  It was His love.”  Wow.  What a reminder.  To think that this divine man – who had done no wrong – could have spared himself from this horrible death.  And He chose not to.  Because He loved us.

And what does He ask of us?  “Follow me.”

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” 
Matthew 16:24

I know that God is pressing these questions on my heart: “What are you still holding on to?”  “What do you still want to control?”  Any answer in response to those questions requires me to drop to my knees and ask for the strength to say “No” to self and “Yes” to God.

I love the hymn I Follow Him from my Bethany College of Missions days.  It’s written by the Christ-Follower, pastor, role model, and friend to so many of us while he was on this earth, Harold Brokke.

I Follow Him
I follow Him who left His Father’s throne.
Who sought no earthly treasures as His own.
Who bore His cross for love’s dear sake alone.
I follow Him!  I follow Him!

I follow Him who mounted yonder hill.
Who for my sins did all His lifeblood spill.
To cleanse my heart and to renew my will.
I follow him!  I follow Him!

I follow Him who from the grave arose.
And then didst make a footstool of His foes.
For victory is full where’er he goes.
I follow Him!  I follow Him!

 

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